South Africa were back in contention on day two Rawalpindi test as Keshav Maharaj’s Seven Wicket Masterclass before Pakistan’s first innings Tristan Stubbs and Tony de zorzi Follow up with 113 working stands compiled. After being bowled out for 333 after Pakistan The visitors reached 185/4 at stumpsWith 148 runs, a rooted 68 and unbeaten roots at Wicketeeper Kyle Verreyne at 10
Earlier in the day, Maharaj demolished Pakistan’s middle and lower order, career-best figures of 7/102, South Africa’s best figures, to have a firm grip after the hosts and prospect Shan masood (87) and SAUDI SHEKEL (66). But late ones by the debutante Asif Afridi Pakistan’s stay in Hunt ensured that the third day was about controlling the fighting in this tight battle.
PAK VS SA, 2nd Test: Keshav Maharaj’s Magic Pakistan 333
Pakistan started at 259/5 in the morning and started to build on the foundation laid by Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel. His plans quickly unraveled as Keshav Maharaj produced one of his most clinical spells in Test cricket. Variations in flight, angle and PACE consistently tested the Pakistani bowlers as they struggled to counter the sharp turn on a pitch that steadily deteriorated. Salman Agha (45) and SAUDI SHEKEL (66) tried to anchor the innings, but Maharaj’s ruthless accuracy resulted in a lower-order collapse.
At 316/6, Pakistan are all out for 333, losing their last four wickets for just 17 runs. Masood, who had earlier lifted 87, with three in the third over, fell victim to Maharaj’s Guile, setting up a return ball to Jansen at short leg. Afridi’s seventh scalp of Maharaj came with a classic bowler that leaked for a stripped-down seven and obdicled and reinforced his dominance on subcontinental pitches. Pakistan’s inability to convert promising partnerships into bigger scores could hurt them once again, with the bowlers under pressure to find early breakthroughs.
Read: List of captains for Pakistan Odi Cricket ft. Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan
PAK VS SA, 2nd Test: Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi fight back as Asif Afridi hits Lour
In response, South Africa lost Ryan Rickelton (14) early to Shaheen Afridi before the captain Aiden Markram (32) Departed after a promising start that was undone by Sajid Khan’s sharp turn. However, the visitors found stability through Stubbs and de Zorzi, who combined Patience with their combined aggression. De Zorzi’s elegant 55, with two golds, was fluent, while the sub-backs, well beyond their years, made an impression on the lads by grinding to 68 from 184 balls.
Duo Pakistani Spin Duo, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, For more than two sessions, it shows discipline and mental toughness. Asif Afridi was last told in the final before stumps, de zorzi lbw and wipe out Dewald brevis Cheap to cheapen hopes for Pakistan. The debutant’s post on 15 overs on 2/24, a promising sign for the home side, stood up for his fine change and fine change. At 185/4, South Africa are all out for 148, but with plenty of wickets and plenty of wickets to come, Day 3 and a decisive battle between South Africa’s patience and Pakistan’s tenacity is about to happen.
Here’s how Netizens reacted:
From injury to milestones! 💥
Keshav Maharaj celebrates his comeback in style with a brilliant seven Wicket Haul! 💫
A masterful performance #Proteas Men’s Prime Spinner. 👏 pic.twitter.com/Z11Exmrvbm
– Proteas men (@proteasmencsa) October 21, 2025
Keshav is always a Maharaj. The best finger spinner in the world in tests. A massive challenge for the Proteas, leaning on a pitch that already poses a lot of questions to the batsmen.
– Prasanna (@prasannalara) October 21, 2025
Keshav. Maharaj finishes with 7/103 as we bundle Pakistan out for 333
A bigger effort is needed from the Warriors today on what looks like a slightly less swinging pitch than the last match so far pic.twitter.com/b2km5nsysh
– Werner (@werries_) October 21, 2025
Keshav Maharaj is on fire! Pakistan’s seven wickets show why they are the elite spinners of the modern era. pic.twitter.com/uravitxrfb
– Choudhary Kapil (@Choudhary_119) October 21, 2025
He bravely returned to the team and took seven wickets. Take a bow, Keshav Maharaj 🔥🤌 pic.twitter.com/3pihhymvtt
– Paarl Royals (@Paarlroya) October 21, 2025
They can never make me hate Keshav Maharaj! The man who put his hand up to captain the test team during a very, very difficult transition period when he was going through a leadership crisis https://t.co/utofxidmki
– 🇿🇦 Sabeeha Majid 🏏 / da deyirman stan account (@sabeehamajid) October 21, 2025
For the best eye for talent in this country, noman and sajid have the best eye for superstars and now ASIF Afridi has turned it into a way they don’t do much
– 🦅🦅🦅 (@leggiewicket) October 21, 2025
Two valuable wickets by Asif Afridi and that too at a crucial stage of the game.
– The 38-year-old Blud has proved his selection right, arriving here after taking 33 wickets in his last 5 first-class matches and has delivered in international cricket as well.#Pakvsa pic.twitter.com/dtwyre2sf3
– Ahmed Haseeb (@iamahmadhaseeb) October 21, 2025
It belongs to South Africa today
We try 60 short,
Asif Afridi brings us back into the game
The first session tomorrow is the key you need to win,
We need to get to the tail quickly and limit them at 250.Now you need the 80th employer guide.
– We win the World Cup 26 (@Debressed_danani). October 21, 2025
Asif Afridi deffo gets 5 here
– Brent (@MAGWAYA_) October 21, 2025
Pakistan went from 211-3 to 333-10 🏏
– 7-Wicket Haul for Keshav Maharaj#Keshavmaharaj #Pakvssa #Crickettwitter pic.twitter.com/8tbjcxbkko
– CricketTimes.com (@crickettimeshq) October 21, 2025
See also: PAK VS SA: Abdullah Shafique survives intact despite Bails batting on Day 2
